Method of controlling fluid flow with an electronically activated access valve

ABSTRACT

A method of controlling fluid flow from a fluid source to a patient includes the step of mating a first connector comprising a first body with a first fluid passage therethrough and a conductive element disposed the first body to a second connector comprising a second body with a second fluid passage therethrough and two separated electrical contacts disposed on the body such that the two electrical contacts engage the conductive element when the first and second connectors are mated. The two electrical contacts are electrically coupled to a normally closed, electrically activated valve that is fluidically coupled to the second fluid passage and configured to open only when a circuit is completed through the two electrical contacts.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This applications is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/081,418, filed on Apr. 6, 2011 and currently pending, which is adivision of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/796,219, filed on Apr. 27, 2007and now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,922,148, which are all herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The disclosed embodiments relate to an electrically activated accessvalve arrangement, and more particularly, to a male and femaleconnection device that electrically activates an access valve, to beused in conjunction with fluid administration, such as intravenous fluidadministration.

2. Description of the Related Art

Luer connections are the typical way of attaching various medicaldevices such as syringes, catheters, and intravenous lines to oneanother. These lines are then generally connected to a patient via acatheter. In a typical luer connection, male and female connectors aremated together to form and secure the connection. Luer connections arewidely used in the medical industry because they are quick and easy toassemble.

However, with this ease of use comes a high risk of error. For example,in high risk connections, such as epidural lines, the connection of anincorrect line can have serious consequences, including death, for thepatient. There is a high risk of accidentally connecting the wrong linesbecause standard luer connectors are used for both intravenous fluid andepidural infusions. Also, additional lines are commonly found nearbedsides of patients seeking medical care for a variety of ailments.Thus, a male connector intended for use with an intravenous line couldbe easily confused for one intended for use with an epidural line. Thisconfusion can lead to a misconnection, resulting in medication or airerroneously being delivered into an unintended site, leading to seriouscomplications.

Currently, precautions for misconnections include double-checking theconnection prior to connecting the luers. Alternatively, the differentconnectors and their attached lines may be specially labeled. Labelingmay be accomplished by placing colored tape on the tubing, or placing acolor-coded marker on the connectors themselves.

While these precautionary measures attempt to solve the problems ofmisconnections, all of these precautions require an active, mitigatingstep. This can be problematic and unpractical for nurses and doctors whoare often working in emergency situations and do not have the luxury ofperforming time-consuming cautionary steps.

Thus, there is a real need for a connection that ensures the line willremain closed until the correct connectors are connected. This willmitigate the risk of misconnecting male and female luers, and itrequires no additional steps by hospital personnel to avoidmisconnections.

SUMMARY

The above and other needs are met by the disclosed embodiments whichprovide an electrically activated access valve arrangement comprising amale connector, which includes a body, a distal end, a proximal end, anda fluid passage. A conductive element is located on the body. Theconductive element is located such that it is external of the path ofthe fluid passage. The electrically activated access valve arrangementfurther comprises a female connector, comprising a body, a distal end, aproximal end, and an opening. When the male connector is inserted intothe female connector, the opening is in fluid communication with thefluid passage. The female connector further comprises contacts. Theelectrically activated access valve arrangement also comprises a valveconnected to the opening of the female connector. Upon full insertion ofthe male connector to the female connector, the conductive element ofthe male connector physically contacts the contacts of the femaleconnector. This provides an electrical pathway for an electrical signalto be sent to the valve to transition the valve from a normally closedposition to an opened position.

The earlier stated needs and others are met by still other disclosedembodiments which provide an electrically activated access valvearrangement comprising a male connector. The male connector comprises abody, a distal end, a proximal end, and a fluid passage. The maleconnector includes at least one connection port. The electricallyactivated access valve arrangement further comprises a female connectorcomprising a body, a distal end, a proximal end, and an opening. Theopening is in fluid communication with the fluid passage when the maleconnector is inserted into the female connector. The female connectorfurther comprises at least one connection port and a valve. The valve iselectrically controllable to transition from a normally closed positionto an opened position.

The foregoing and other features, aspects and advantages of thedisclosed embodiments will become more apparent from the followingdetailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 a is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of male and femaleconnectors with an electrically activated access valve, prior toconnection;

FIG. 1 b is a cross-sectional view of the male and female connectors ofFIG. 1 a, after connection;

FIG. 2 a is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of male andfemale connectors with an electrically activated access valve, prior toconnection;

FIG. 2 b is a cross-sectional view of the male and female connectors ofFIG. 2 a, after connection;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of male andfemale connectors with an electrically activated access valve;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of male andfemale connectors with an electrically activated access valve;

FIG. 5 is a side-view of another embodiment of male and femaleconnectors with an electrically activated access valve, a pump, andtubing; and

FIG. 6 is a partial-cross-sectional view of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is contemplated that the subject matter described herein may beembodied in many forms. Accordingly, the embodiments described in detailbelow are the presently preferred embodiments, and are not to beconsidered as limitations.

The disclosed embodiments address problems related to the misconnectionof male and female luer connection devices and the dire consequencesmisconnections may cause in time-critical situations. The disclosedembodiments solve these problems, at least in part, by providing anelectrically activated access valve arrangement comprising a maleconnector, which includes a body, a distal end, a proximal end, and afluid passage. A conductive element is located on the body. Theconductive element is located such that it is external of the path ofthe fluid passage. The electrically activated access valve arrangementfurther comprises a female connector, comprising a body, a distal end, aproximal end, and an opening. When the male connector is inserted intothe female connector, the opening is in fluid communication with thefluid passage. The female connector further comprises contacts. Theelectrically activated access valve arrangement also comprises a valveconnected to the opening of the female connector. Upon full insertion ofthe male connector to the female connector, the conductive element ofthe male connector physically contacts the contacts of the femaleconnector. This provides an electrical pathway for an electrical signalto be sent to the valve to transition the valve from a normally closedposition to an opened position.

Other disclosed embodiments provide an electrically activated accessvalve arrangement comprising a male connector. The male connectorcomprises a body, a distal end, a proximal end, and a fluid passage. Themale connector includes at least one connection port. The electricallyactivated access valve arrangement further comprises a female connectorcomprising a body, a distal end, a proximal end, and an opening. Theopening is in fluid communication with the fluid passage when the maleconnector is inserted into the female connector. The female connectorfurther comprises at least one connection port and a valve. The valve iselectrically controllable to transition from a normally closed positionto an opened position.

FIG. 1 a shows an electrically activated access valve arrangement 10,comprising a male connector 12, a female connector 24, and a valve 36.The male connector 12 comprises a body 14, a distal end 16, a proximalend 18, and a fluid passage 20. It should be noted that “distal” refersto the direction toward the patient. “Proximal” refers to the directionaway from the patient, or toward the syringe or other collection ordispensing device, such as an intravenous (IV) bag. The body 14 isgenerally frustoconically shaped. A conductive element 22 is located onthe body 14. The position of the conductive element 22 on the body 14,shown in FIG. 1, is such that it does not obstruct and is not in contactwith the fluid passage 20. The fluid passage 20 may be surrounded by abarrier 44 (seen in FIG. 3), which would isolate the conductive element22 from the fluid passage 20, thereby preventing possible complications.Further, the barrier 44 would ensure that there are no obstructionswithin the path of the fluid in the fluid passage 20.

FIG. 1 a also shows the female connector 24, comprising a body 26, adistal end 28, a proximal end 30, and an opening 32. The body 26 of thefemale connector 24 may be generally shaped to receive the frustoconicalbody 14 of the male connector 12. When the male connector 12 is insertedinto the female connector 24, the opening 32 of the female connector 24is in fluid communication with the fluid passage 20 of the maleconnector 12. The female connector 24 further comprises contacts 34,which may be located on the exterior of the body 26. The contacts 34 ofthe female connector 24 engage the conductive element 22 when the maleconnector 12 is fully inserted into the female connector 24, as depictedin FIG. 1 b. When this engagement occurs, a circuit is completed. Apower source (not shown) is connected to the contacts 34 to providepower to activate the valve 36. The power source can be external orlocated on the connector 24 itself

The valve 36, as seen in FIG. 1 a, is connected to the opening 32 of thefemale connector 24. A line 38 runs through the male and femaleconnectors 12, 24, and through the valve 36. The line 38 will carryfluid to flow from a fluid source (not shown) to a patient. Normally,the valve 36 is in a closed position, as seen in FIG. 1 a. However, whenthe conductive element 22 and contacts 34 are engaged, an electricalpathway is formed. The electrical pathway allows an electrical signal tobe sent to the valve 36. This electrical signal causes the valve 36 totransition from the closed position to an opened position, allowingfluid to flow through the line 38. FIG. 1 b shows the conductive element22 and the contacts 34 engaged. This allows for the valve 36 to be inthe opened position. If the male and female connectors 12, 24 aredisengaged such that the circuit is broken, the electrical activationterminates, and the valve 36 will return to the closed position.

The electric activation of the valve 36 ensures that only the dedicatedmale connector 12, including the conductive element 22, can be connectedto the female connector 24, in a manner that permits fluid flow, as thisis the only connection that will cause the circuit to be completed andthe valve 36 to open. Thus, as the female connector 24 is closer to thepatient and likely connected to a patient catheter, the risk ofconnecting the wrong male connector 12 and wrong line is mitigated oreliminated. However, the male connector 12 may be used in connectionwith typical female luer connectors as well as the dedicated femaleconnector 24.

The contacts 34 of the female connector 24 may be located radially,around the circumference of the body 26, as seen in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b.It is contemplated that the contacts 34 may be aligned along the lengthof the body 26, shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 2 a and 2 b. If thecontacts 34 are aligned along the length of the body 26, the conductiveelement 22 may be substantially wider such that it will come intocontact with both the positive and negative contacts 34. The conductiveelement 22 may completely encircle the body 14 of the male connector 12,or it may be broken up into segments. In operation the embodiment ofFIGS. 2 a and 2 b is the same as the embodiment of FIGS. 1 a and 1 b.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the conductive element 22 isa band, located around a hub 40 of the male connector 12. This placementensures the conductive element 22 will not interfere with the fluidpassage 20. The hub 40 of the male connector essentially encircles thebody 14 of the male connector 12. It also encircles a hub 58 of thefemale connector 24 when the male connector 12 is fully inserted intothe female connector 24. FIG. 3 shows that if the conductive element 22is located around the hub 40 of the male connector, the contacts 34 ofthe female connector 24 may be correspondingly arranged around the hub58 of the female connector 24.

Shown in the embodiment of FIG. 4, the conductive element 22 is a band,located on a base 42 of the male connector 12. This placement alsoensures it will not interfere with the fluid passage 20. If theconductive element 22 is located on the base 42, the contacts 34 of thefemale connector 24 are correspondingly arranged around a base 60 of thefemale connector 24. Thus, the conductive element 22 will interact withthe contacts 34, completing the circuit, upon complete insertion of themale connector 12 into the female connector 24.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the electrically activated accessvalve arrangement 10. As shown in FIG. 5, a pump 50 provides theelectrical signal that is sent through wires 52 (not shown) that areembedded within tubing 56. The pump 50 may be used for an epidural orintravenous fluid administration. Embedding wires 52 within the tubing56 protects them and allows for connection with a particularly sensitiveline. The tubing 56 is connected to the male and female connectors 12,24. The line 38 is connected to the female connector 24 and transfersfluid to a patient.

The male connector 12 in the embodiment of FIG. 6 comprises at least oneconnection port 46. The female connector 24 also includes at least onecorresponding connection port 48. FIG. 6 shows the male connector 12including two connection ports 46, and the female connector 24 includingtwo corresponding connection ports 48. However, it is contemplated thatthe male and female connectors 12, 24 may comprise a plurality ofcorresponding connection ports 46, 48. When the male connector 12 isinserted into the female connector 24, the connection ports 46, 48engage, and complete a circuit. This sends an electrical signal to thevalve 36, which is connected to the female connector 24 by the line 38.The valve 36 is electronically controllable. The engagement of theconnection ports 46, 48 allows for this control. Thus, the electricalsignal causes the valve 36 to transition from its normally closedposition to an opened position, allowing for an epidural or intravenousfluid administration through the line 38, to a patient. It iscontemplated that in another embodiment, the valve 36 may be connectedto the male connector 12. If it is desired, the male connector 12 may beremoved from the female connector 24. This disconnects the completedcircuit, and returns the valve 36 to its normally closed position. Asshown in FIG. 6, the wires 52 run from the pump 50, through the tubing56, through the male connector 12, and terminate at the connection port46.

The solutions presented above may also be embodied in the followingmethod. A method of controlling fluid flow from a fluid source to apatient includes a first step of connecting the male connector 12 andthe female connector 24. When physically connected, the male and femaleconnectors 12, 24 together form an electrical connection. A second stepincludes opening the electrically activated valve 36. This allows forfluid flow from the fluid source 58 to the patient only upon theconnection of the male and the female connectors 12, 24, of theformation of the electrical connection. It would be apparent to oneskilled in the art that this method provides another solution to theproblem of misconnection of male and female luer connectors.

In sum, the present disclosure provides for an electrically activatedaccess valve arrangement, comprising a male connector, a femaleconnector, and a valve. In one embodiment, the male connector includes aconductive element, and the female connector includes contacts.Insertion of the male into the female connector completes a circuit,enabling an electrical signal to be sent to the valve. The electricalsignal transitions the valve from the normally closed position to theopened position. In another embodiment, the male connector has aconnection port which connects to a connection port of the femaleconnector. A pump, such as an infusion pump, sends an electrical signalthrough the connection ports, which causes the valve to transition fromthe normally closed position to the opened position. As such, theconnectors of the present disclosure will not function with typical maleand female luer connectors. This prevents misconnection of the wrongline to a patient, while requiring no additional precautionary stepsfrom busy medical personnel.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated indetail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way ofillustration and example only and is not to be taken by way oflimitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of controlling fluid flow from a fluidsource to a patient, the method comprising the step of: mating a firstconnector comprising a first body with a first fluid passagetherethrough and a conductive element disposed on the first body to asecond connector comprising a second body with a second fluid passagetherethrough and two separated electrical contacts disposed on the bodysuch that the two electrical contacts engage the conductive element whenthe first and second connectors are mated, the two electrical contactsbeing electrically coupled to a normally closed, electrically activatedvalve that is fluidically coupled to the second fluid passage andconfigured to open only when a circuit is completed through the twoelectrical contacts.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first andsecond fluid passages are fluidically coupled when the first and secondconnectors are mated.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstconnector is fluidically coupled to one of the fluid source and thefluid recipient and the second connector is fluidically coupled to theother of the fluid source and the fluid recipient.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising the step of: providing electrical power tothe valve such that the valve will open when the first and secondconnectors are mated.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the valve opensautomatically when the circuit is completed between the two electricalcontacts.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the valve opensautomatically when the first and second connectors are mated.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the valve closes automatically when the firstand second connectors are separated.